Football | Afcon

Trabelsi bullish ahead of Algeria tie

Tunisia boss Sami Trabelsi does not believe that everything depends on tonight’s clash against Algeria, in their opening Africa Cup of Nations 2013 Group D match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

But with Ivory Coast in the same group, this Maghrebi derby certainly takes on a certain importance for the outcome of the tournament.

“The first match is always important, but not decisive. But it can give us confidence for the rest of the competition,” assured the coach of the Carthage Eagles.

While the former international might have wanted to minimise the importance of this North-African clash, his ambition remained clear.

“We are here to go as far as possible and to reach our goals,” he assured.

In order to counter the Fennecs, Trabelsi insisted on the mental aspect and warned players that any lack of attention could prove fatal to the outcome of the clash.

“The team that will remain the most concentrated is the team that will win the match,” warned the coach.

As a player, Sami Trabelsi was a runner-up in 1996 in South Africa and dreams of experiencing the feelings of such an event again, this time as coach.

“I hope to be on the pitch the day of the final and to win the title.”